Foldable life-preserver.



M. DESPOT.

FOLDABLE LIFE PRESERVER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20, 1014.

Paterited Nov. 10, 1914.

' QKR-t-awaieo M. DESPOT. FOLDABLE LIFE PHESBRVER.

APPLICATION FILED JULY 20, 1014- 1,1 16,393 Patented Nov. 10, 1914.

3 SHBETSSHEET 2.

LM/9 I M. DESPOT.

FOLDABLE LIFE PRESERVER. A PrmuA'uou 11.21) JULY 20, 1914.

1 116,393. Patented Nov. 10,1914.

3 SHEBTSTSHBET 3.

6 1/3, UMW/ 2m MICHAEL DESPOT, OF DAYTON. OHIO.

FOLDABLE LIFE-PRESERVER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed July 20. 1914.

Patented Nov. 10, 19.14.

Serial No. 851,911.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I. Alleluia. Dirsro'r, a SlllJjUt'l'. ot' the King of i-lungary, residing at Dayton. in the county of Montgomery and State of Ohio. have invented certain new and useful In'iprovcmcnts in Foldable Life-Preservers, of which the following is a specification The primary object of this invention is to provide a foldable inflatable means adapted to be secured to a person for prcventing drowning, the device beingeasily folded when not in use.

A further object is to provide a spherical life prcserver having a foldable sectional interior frame and whereby upon turning an exterior crank, the device is positioned in its folded compact form.

A still further object is the provision of a spherical float in which a hinged foldablc frame-work mounts a pneumatic cover secured thereto and which framework and cover are readily folded together by a man ually-operated means.

\Vith these general objects in view and others that will appear as the nature of the invention is better understood, the same consists in the novel construction, combination and arrangement of parts to be hereinafter more fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and then claimed.

In the drawings forming a part of this application and wherein like numerals of reference designate like parts throughout the several views: Figure 1 is a side elevation of the device. Fig. 2 is a diametrical central sectional view thereof taken longitudinally of theframe mounting shaft.

Fig." 3 is a similar sectional view taken transversely of the said shaft. Fig. 4 is an en larged central sectional detail View of one hinging end portion of the shaft. Fig. 5 is an interior enlarged detail view of the portion of the device adjacent one end of the .shaft, the shaft and frame being shown in section. Fig. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of a portion of the foldable framework. Fig. 7 is an end elevation of a moditied form of the device. Fig. 8 is a perspective view thereof. Fig.9 is a side elevation of the semi-spherical form of the float employed upon the foot, and, Fig. 10' is-a perspective detail view of an end portion of one of the frameme nbers.

Referring more in detail to the drawings, the spherical float-as illustrated in Fig. 1

secured upon the back of the wearer.

consists of a frame-work formed of semi circulaa' ribs 10 preferably formed of angle iron and having their ends provided with collars 11 mounted upon the diametricallypositioned shaft 12. One of said ribs 10 ms its collar 13 secured to the shaft 12 as by the pin 1 t and whereby upon a turning of the shaft 12 by means of the externallypositioned operating crank 15, the rib secured thereto will be rotated while the shaft will revolve within the collars of the unsecured ribs 10 and all of said ribs will be brought into contact with each other in their folded relations. A brace member 16 is centrally pivoted substantially at the center of each of the ribs 10. the ends of the adjacent braces being likewise pivoted together, and thereby equally spacing apart the ribs 10 when unfolded to allow the ribs to fold when desired.

A pneumatic cushion l7 somewhat of the form of a base-ball cover and having an inner chamber In adapted for inflation through the nipple 19 is secured over the 'lranni-work and secured to the ribs by the cords 30. The said covering is severed upon a semi-circular line 21 adjacent the position of one of the ribs 10 and is secured together when desired by means of the fastening means .22. With the device closed and ready for use as illustrated in Fig. l, the same may be folded by loosening the securing members '22 and turning the crank 15, which thereby closes the framework and carries the work therewith.

Shoulder straps 223, a belt .24, and leg en circling straps 25 are carried by the cover, and by means of which the float is readil A cord 26 may be secured over the handle 15 when the device is in its unfolded position. The shaft 12 is made water-tight at the points of passing through the cover by means of rings 27 while the water-proof cap 28 is provided over the free projecting end of the shaft.

In the forms of the invention illustrate l in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, it will be seen that the floats 29 are semisphorical in form and the frame-work being similar to that disclosed in the preferred form of construction. it is deemed unnecessary to specifically illustrate the same, it being noted howmer. that a separate operating crank 30 is provided for the frame-work of each of the floats for the purpose of folding and unfolding the same.

lll

' ments of the parts as shown may be made while a base 31 is provided for the two floats be secured to the wearer by means of straps Copies of this patent may he obtained for as illustrated in Fig. 7, and separate bases 32 for each of the floats as illustrated 1n Figs 8 and 9. These floats are adapted to and as illustrated in Fig. 9, the float may be secured to the foot by having a shoe 3% mounted 1: you the float and provided with a strap for encircling the ankle. This latter form of the device is adapted for use in treading Water while the floats illustrated in Figs. 7 and S are both adapted to be. secured to the body of thewearer.

lVhile the forms of the inventio herein shown and described are What are 'elieved to be preferable embodiments of the invention, it is nevertheless to be understood that various forms, modifications and arrange Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as neW is l. A float comprising a shaft, a plurality of semi-circular ribs having their opposite ends journaled upon said shaft and one of said ribs being rigid with said shaft, an in fiatable pneumatic cover enveloping said ribs and secured thereto, foldable spacing braces having their ends pivoted together and being centrally pivoted to said ribs, and means for revolving said shaft.

2.-A life preserver comprising a shaft, semi-circular ribs having their ends journaled upon said shaft, opposite collars secured to said shaft, a semi-circular rib se cured to said collars, an operating crank at one end of said shaft, equal length braces centrally pivoted to the concaved faces of said ribs and having their ends pivoted'to getl'ler, a. hollow cylindrical cover eXteriorlysecured to said ribs and having said shaft projecting therethrough, pater-tight means positioned adjacent the ends of said shaft and engaging said cover, body-attaching straps secured to the exterior of said cover,

and securing means positioned between the adjacent edges of the cover. a I V In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence-of two Witnesses.

V 7 MICHAEL DESPOT Witnesses:

R. O'r'ro BAUMANN STEVE Harmon.

five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner nt/intents, Washington, E. Q. 

